Used Car Advice, Vehicle Checklists & Buying Guides

Scrolling through used car listings can feel like flipping through a highlight reel – glossy photos, glowing descriptions, and deals that seem almost too good to be true. And that’s the problem. Some of them are too good to be true.

Buying a used car should feel like a smart move - and most of the time, it is. But sometimes, it turns into an absolute nightmare. Unfortunately, shady dealers still exist across the UK, and they’re slick at hiding problems until it’s too late. To save you the headache (and maybe thousands of pounds), we’ve collected some jaw-dropping real-life horror stories from UK car buyers. Consider this your ultimate warning before handing over any cash.

Thinking of buying your next car from a private seller? You’re not alone. Private car sales are everywhere in the UK - Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, even good old driveway “For Sale” signs. And sure, you can bag a bargain. But there are risks too, and one dodgy move could leave you with a nightmare instead of a motor.

Let’s face it – buying a used car in the UK can feel like navigating a minefield. You’re dodging dodgy sellers, double-checking the mileage, and hoping you don’t get stuck with a total lemon. But there’s one under-the-radar scam that too many buyers still don’t see coming: the logbook and stolen VIN scam.

Buying a used car in the UK? You’d think that with all the regulations and online tools, dodgy MOTs would be a thing of the past. Sadly, they’re not. Fake MOT certificates are still slipping through the cracks and leaving unsuspecting buyers with unsafe, illegal cars - and massive repair bills.

eBay Motors has become a go-to platform for buying and selling used cars in the UK. It’s convenient, full of variety, and often packed with what seem like absolute bargains. But before you go placing a bid or sending a deposit, there’s something you seriously need to know…

Thinking about snagging a used car deal off Gumtree? You’re not alone. Thousands of UK buyers turn to online marketplaces like Gumtree every week hoping to find a bargain. But while there are some genuine deals out there, there’s also a darker side you need to be aware of - car scams. And trust us, some of these are so slick, you won’t realise you’ve been had until it’s too late.

Buying a used car in the UK can feel exciting – until you realise that deal that seemed too good to be true really was. Even in 2025, buyers are still getting caught out by slick-looking listings, dodgy paperwork, and convincing sellers who disappear the moment the money clears.

If you’re browsing used cars online or spotting bargain listings on social media, listen up. Scammers have upgraded their game. In 2025, people are still falling victim to elaborate car scams — but many are avoidable if you know the signs.

When I bought my first used car, I thought I was nailing it. The price was low, the seller was friendly, and the car looked clean in photos. I skipped the vehicle history check, assuming I knew what I was getting... Big mistake.

When you’re in the market for a used car in the UK, one of the first things people often recommend is to run a DVLA check. Sounds smart, right? And it is - to an extent. But a DVLA check alone just isn’t enough to protect you from all the nasty surprises that can come with second-hand cars.

Floods in the UK aren’t rare anymore. Whether it's flash floods in the summer or rivers bursting in winter, water-damaged cars are becoming a growing problem on British roads. And the worst part? Some of these cars end up on the used car market - and unless you know what to look for, you could be driving off in a ticking time bomb.

When it comes to buying a used car in the UK, knowledge isn’t just power – it’s protection. You might think you've found a great deal on Auto Trader, Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace, but without digging into the car's history, you could end up with a financial headache.

You’re standing on a used car forecourt. The car you’ve been eyeing all week is right in front of you. The dealer hands you a crisp vehicle history report and assures you it’s all good. Job done, right? Not so fast.

You’ve probably heard the term "clocking" tossed around in car buying circles. It sounds old-school, almost like something out of a dodgy 90s dealer sitcom. But here's the catch: odometer clocking is still happening in 2025, and it’s one of the sneakiest car scams out there. If you’re thinking about buying a second-hand car in the UK, knowing how to spot odometer tampering is a must.

You’re scrolling through used car listings when you spot the magic words: "One Owner from New". Sounds great, right? It screams reliability, low mileage, and a careful, responsible driver. But here’s the uncomfortable truth - just because a seller says it’s a one-owner car doesn’t always make it true.

You’ve probably seen cars listed online with phrases like “Cat S” or “Cat N” in the ad title. These aren’t some secret codes - they’re official write-off categories set by insurers, and they tell you a lot about the car’s past. If you’re in the market for a used car in the UK, you need to understand what these categories really mean before you even think about buying.

So you’ve got your eye on a used car, and the seller hands you the V5C logbook. Great, right? Well, only if you know what to look for. The V5C isn’t just a piece of paperwork - it holds key details that can help you avoid scams, dodgy sellers, or even a stolen car.